A week or so later, Buffy and Dawn were ready to leave. School would be starting soon for Dawn and much as she wanted to stay, Buffy had left the demon population in Sunnydale too long than was comfortable for her. They would be becoming overconfident, thinking the slayer had finally left the hellmouth for good. The gang could only fight them off so much longer before it became too much

Angel understood this when she told him, but he didn't like it. Truthfully neither did she. It already felt like they had wasted so much time without one another. It didn't seem fair that they should have to spend even more time apart, before finally being able to be together. Buffy was also worried for Angel's safety.

Although he was aware that he was human and therefore not as strong as he once was, she also knew that he couldn't resist helping people who were in trouble. She was afraid that without her there, he would throw himself into something he couldn't handle and she would lose him. After everything they had gone through to have him killed was just not something she was ready to contemplate. She wanted to say something to him about it, but feared his reaction. She didn't want him to think she was patronizing him, or doubting his abilities. Her insecurities left over from her relationship with Riley were still present. Up until now, she hadn't realized he had done so much damage to her psyche.

"Hey Buffy, you gonna pack or just sit there like a zombie?" Dawn's voice punctuated her thoughts, bringing her back to reality.

"Sorry Dawnie, I was just thinking." She amended with a rueful smile

"Thinking, or stalling?" Dawn teased. "Face it Buffy you want to leave here even less than I do."

"It's just..." she paused and sighed heavily. "I just got him back, you know? I hate the thought of leaving him to face all this darkness alone."

"You're worried." Dawn stated. Buffy turned to her in surprise.

"When did you learn to read me so well?"

"Well I did live with you for sixteen years." Dawn replied sarcastically. Then, thinking for a moment said, "well actually only three, but I remember sixteen."

"OK, yea I'm worried." Buffy admitted. "What if he forgets he's only a man Dawn? What if I lose him because he does something heroic and stupidly macho?"

"You mean like Riley?" Dawn said slyly. Buffy glared at her. "Angel's not like that."

"When did you become an expert on my boyfriend?" Buffy demanded. Dawn shrugged. "He cares about you too much to throw away your shot. Anybody can see that."

"Thanks Dawnie," Buffy said with a smile. She still wasn't sure that Angel wouldn't do something stupid, but the fact that her sister seemed to believe it unlikely gave her hope.

"Are we going to get out of here now?" Dawn asked her with a grin.

"I didn't think you'd be so eager to leave Connor," Buffy said with an odd look at her sister. Dawn shrugged.

"I'm not, but I miss the others." She replied honestly. "Besides, there's a lot here that everyone needs to figure out, and right now we're more hindering than helping."

"You mean Wesley?" Buffy guessed. Dawn nodded.

"What happened wasn't his fault Buffy," Dawn said softly. "How can they be so horrible to him?"

"It's really complicated Dawn," Buffy said, feeling somehow that her answer was inadequate. In truth, she felt the same way. "Especially for Angel. Connor is his son."

"I know that, but you would think that after all this time they could give him another chance." Dawn insisted. Buffy sighed.

"Maybe they can," she said hopefully. "Or maybe it's too late. Maybe he doesn't even want one. Once we're gone they can sort that out I suppose."

"Well then let's not slow up progress." Dawn said cheerfully as she grabbed her bag. "I want everyone in a nice happy emotional state when I come back here in two years for college."

"You know you'll have to work extra hard to go to college here." Buffy pointed out seriously. Dawn stuck her tongue out at her and smiled.

"I'm willing to put in the effort." Buffy found herself knowing she was right. Connor was worth that much to her and more.

Buffy headed down the stairs and was surprised to see everyone standing at the door, waiting for her. Everyone that was, but Angel. Looking to Dawn, she could see she had already made her way over to where Connor was and was standing beside him. Buffy had a feeling the others wanted to say goodbye first, before she and Angel had their own goodbye. That was fine.

She approached Lorne first and smiled at the green skinned demon.

"I'll miss you Buffster," Lorne told her kindly. "You certainly changed this place around."

"Wasn't my intention, but I'm glad I could help," she replied honestly hugging him. He smiled again.

"One of these days I want to hear that little chickadee sing," he said gesturing to Dawn. "I just know she has a destiny that will be great."

"You'll have to let her decide that." Buffy replied. She looked over and saw Gunn watching her. He shook his head regretfully as she stepped over to him.

"Gonna miss you slayer," he told her. "You were a big help in bringing the smack down on the demons in this town."

"You too," she replied, shaking his hand. Gunn had a special place in her heart, for she knew that their warrior selves had formed a bond that wouldn't be broken. She would see him again. The thought of him in the same city as her sister was a comforting one. She smiled. "Take care of Dawnie when she comes back."

"You know it." Gunn said with a nod.

It was then she came to Fred. The girl's eyes were brimming slightly and Buffy felt a rush of affection for her.

"We're sure gonna miss y'all," she said shyly. "Especially Angel. Don't think all the ice cream in the world will cheer him up till you come back."

"Then I promise not to be gone too long." She told Fred as she hugged her warmly.

Cordelia was staring at her with a strange expression on her face when Buffy finally got to her.

"I had you judged all wrong when you first got here Buffy," Cordelia said softly. "I want to apologize."

"No need," Buffy replied with a dismissive wave. "I wasn't exactly the welcome wagon either. Look, I know you and Angel started to have something..."

"Started," Cordelia said sadly, "and stopped. And it's not entirely your fault. It wouldn't have worked no matter what. Angel only loved the qualities in me that were like the qualities in you. I'm Pepsi, you're Coke. Can't beat the real thing, right? Look, I'm not bitter. The friendship Angel and I share is different than what you and he have. In some ways it's just as strong. I'm happy to have him in my life that way."

"I gotta admit you had me jealous there for a while." Buffy admitted. Cordelia looked at her in surprise.

"Why?"

"Because you're right. The friendship you have is different. Very different. And Angel and I will never have that. What we have goes too deep. Sadly Spike said it best when he told me we'd never be friends. I thought it meant that you were closer...that I didn't know him anymore, but I realize I was wrong now. We both know him. We both love him. There's room in his heart for both of us." Buffy smiled warmly at Cordelia and for the first time felt a real connection with her. "I'm glad he picked you Cordy. Take care of him, OK?"

"I promise." Cordelia whispered.

Buffy turned to Connor who stood with Dawn, arms around each other.

"I know you guys want to say goodbye privately. I won't keep you. I just want to give my thanks to Connor." She leaned over and hugged Angel's son tightly for the first time really seeing his father in his eyes. "I'm proud of you. But, to add the standard big sister disclaimer, you ever hurt Dawn and I will make you wish you were still in Quartoth, fair enough?"

"Deal." Connor said with a smile. Then, turning to Dawn he took her hand and led her into Angel's office. Buffy looked around, expecting someone to tell her where Angel was. Instead, she was surprised to see Wesley standing in the doorway. He looked somewhat sheepish. Fred looked happy to see him, but the others looked guarded. Buffy decided to see if she could remedy the situation in any way.

"Wesley," she greeted him. "I'm glad you came."

"Angel told me you were leaving." He explained. "I felt it only right to say goodbye."

"Dawn and I appreciate that," she said, approaching him until they were out of earshot of the others. "Are you sure that's the only reason you came?"

"Regardless of what Angel may have told you I am done with this place and these people." Wesley told her, his eyes clouding over with pain. "What happened is something that I can't forget, and they can't forgive."

"I think you're wrong." She told him bluntly. "Look at them Wes. Yes Gunn and Cordelia are cautious, but that's because Angel is their leader and Connor his son. They're afraid of causing more pain between everyone. They want you back, even Angel has said so but you have to want it to. Otherwise they won't make a move."

"I shouldn't have to be the one to make a move." Wesley replied firmly.

"Fred misses you." Buffy told him gently. His eyes lightened at the mention of her name. "She wants you to come back Wes. There's something there, everyone can see it. You can't spend your life in fear of people or their opinions. You need to go after what you want or you'll never be happy."

"You really think there's something to be salvaged?" Wesley asked doubtfully. Buffy turned.

"Look at Fred's eyes," she instructed. Wesley did so and Buffy could see the instant chemistry between them. "You tell me."

"I want to be a part of it again." Wesley admitted. "But I don't know how."

"Talk to Angel." Buffy encouraged. "Rebuild what you lost. That's what this is. A time for rebuilding. He'll understand."

"I'll do my best," Wesley promised hoarsely. "Angel wanted me to tell you he's outside. He wants to say goodbye privately."

"Thanks Wes," she said hugging him gently. "Talk to Fred."